Chemical Agent Detection

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Defense's chemical and biological detection program. GAO noted that: (1) the Army had planned to procure chemical agent monitors (CAM) from a contractor for requirements associated with Operation Desert Storm, but the final delivery of the monitors slipped since the awardee could not pass first-article testing; (2) a second contractor determined the acceptability of the initial production units using live chemical agents, and the contractor indicated that CAM failed the test; and (3) the Army's fiscal year 1993 budget request included $9.5 million for the improved CAM procurement, but the planned $9.5-million procurement could be deferred until the Army fully analyzes the initial production test results.